Photographic cameras



g- 1966 H. KOPPEN 3,269,295

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Original Filed Dec. 4, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 1INVZN/UR Aug. 30, 1966 H. KOPPEN 3,269,295

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Original Filed Dec. 4, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug.30, 1966 H. KGPPEN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS '7 Sheets-Sheet :5

Original Filed Dec. 4. 1961 Aug. 30, 1966 KOPPEN 3,269,295

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Original Filed Dec. 4. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug.30, 1966 H. KOPPEN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original FiledDec. 4, 1961 INVA'NTOE' H. KCPPEN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Aug. 30, 1966 '7Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Dec. 4, 1961 30, 6 H. KOPPEN PHOTQGRAPHICCAMERAS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Dec. 4. 1961 7 Claims. icl.9564) This invention relates to photographic cameras and photographicobjectives or shutter mechanisms and is a division of my copendingapplication Serial No. 156,740, filed on December 4, 1961, now UnitedStates Patent No. 3,169,464, issued February 16, 1965.

The invention is particularly concerned with photographic devices of thetype including a so-called flash exposure mechanism. This flash exposuremechanism is constructed in such a manner that with or upon theadjustment of the camera or the camera objective to a selected flashguide number or a distance value by means of the associated elementsprovided for this purpose on the camera, the camera objective or theshutter mechanism, a diaphragm aperture will be formed automaticallywhich fulfills the relation of Diaphragm aperture=Flash guidenumberzDistance Under the designation of automatic formation of thediaphragm aperture is to be understood not only the formation of thediaphragm aperture simultaneously with the selection of the guide numberand distance value, but also the adjustment of a spring operateddiaphragm mechanism upon actuation of the camera release element, andfinally, there is to be understood the formation of the diaphragmaperture by means of a special manually operable member, for instance apush button.

It is an object of the invention to employ for the purpose ofintroducing into the diaphragm mechanism the two mentioned values,namely the guide number and the distance, a diaphragm mechanism which isprovided with two rotatable diaphragm cages of which each one by itsrotative movement effects an adjustment of the diaphragm segments. Oneof the two diaphragm cages is adjusted by a guide number adjustingelement of the camera or of the objective or of the shutter, while theother diaphragm cage is adjusted upon the adjustment of the distanceadjusting element of the camera. The control of these elements takesplace in accordance with the specific features of the invention by meansof control projections which are arranged on the adjustable members ofthe camera or on the objective or on the shutter and which by means ofintermediate elements, such as levers, toothed segments or the like, arecoming into operative engagement with abutments which in turn act uponthe rotatable diaphragm cages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide the camera with meanswhich prevent the camera user from making incorrect exposures wherebythese means automatically limit the distance adjusting range independence of the adjusted guide number. In addition, provisions havebeen made for disconnecting the automatic flash mechanism when it isdesired to make daylight exposures with the camera. These provisionsconsist substantially of a change-over element, preferably an actuatingring, which carries scales, markers and the like, and is also providedwith means which upon changing from the automatic flash range to thedaylight range disconnect the automatic flash mechanism, but at the sametime are effective for permitting a manual adjustment of the diaphragmaperture or a diaphragm preselection, respec- United States Patent icetively, and also permit a diaphragm formation on the basis of anautomatic exposure mechanism.

These and other objects of the invention which will appear hereinafterwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings whichillustrate diagrammatically various embodiments and details of theinvention and a complete view of a camera constructed in accordance withthe invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a front elevation view of oneembodiment of a camera objective provided with the exposure controldevices of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a similar view another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a more elaborated embodiment of the invention in aview similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an edge view of one of the diaphragm segments;

FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention in a viewsimilar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in a viewsimilar to FIG. 1, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a camera with certain parts shownexploded to clearly illustrate the principal features of the inventionas diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, which is a diagrammatical front elevation view of acamera objective, a guide number ring 19 surrounds concentrically thecamera objective. This ring 19 also performs the function of a diaphragmadjusting ring when making daylight exposures in which case thediaphragm is manually adjusted to the desired aperture. In fact, thisring 19 is used for changing the camera selectively from a so-calledflash exposure camera to a daylight exposure camera. Accordingly, thering 19 which may also be called a change-over ring is provided on oneportion of its circumference with a guide number scale 36 and anotherportion, which is circumferentially displaced from this guide numberscale 36, is provided with a diaphragm aperture scale 22. Next to thisguide number and diaphragm adjusting ring 19 is arranged a distanceadjusting ring 1 provided with a distance scale 2. All these threescales 36, 22 and 2 are adjustable relative to a common stationary indexmark 21 which preferably is arranged on the camera casing (FIG. 8).

The diaphragm is provided with a first rotatable diaphragm cage 107 andwith a second rotatable diaphragm cage 108. For the sake of a betterillustration in the drawing, these diaphragm cages 107 and 108 and alsothe rings 19 and 1 are shown as having diiferent diameters, but ofcourse this is not the case in actual practice. The first rotatablediaphragm cage 107 is provided on a portion of its circumference withexterior gear teeth 9, while the diaphragm cage 108 is provided with aradially outwardly extending arm 10.

The diaphragm is further provided with a plurality of adjustablediaphragm segments of which only one segment 15 is illustrated and thelatter, as shown, is connected with the first diaphragm cage 107 by apin 16 and with the second diaphragm cage 108 by a pin 17 (FIG. 5). Thepin 16 is supported in a bore of the diaphragm cage 107 and thereforethis pin 16 constitutes the stationary axis of rotation of the diaphragmsegment 15. The pin 17, however, extends into a curved slot 18 of thediaphragm cage 108 and is movable therein. The particular position ofthe pin 17 in this curved slot 18 deterrnines the position of thediaphragm segment 15.

The guide number and diaphragm adjusting ring 19 is provided with aninwardly projecting control projection 24 which is engaged by the radialarm 10 on the second diaphragm cage 108 and adjusts the latter when thering 19 is adjusted to higher guide numbers.

The adjustment of the cage 108 takes place in a direction in which thediaphragm aperture is reduced. Both sides of the radial arm are engagedby outwardly bent ends of a circular omega spring 27 which extendsconcentrically about the optical axis of the camera objective. When thisspring 27 is not spread apart, both ends of the same engage oppositesides of a stationary pin 28. The outwardly bent ends of the spring 27permit a rotation of the first diaphragm cage 107 in both directions,but the latter will always return to the rest position as shown in thedrawing.

The distance adjusting ring 1 is provided on its inner circumferencewith a control cam 30 which is engaged by a tracking pin 124 on an anglelever 23 whose apex is rotatably supported on a stationary axis 22. Thisangle lever 23 is urged by a not illustrated spring in such a directionthat the pin 124 thereon is maintained in engage-ment with the cam 30.The other free end of the angle lever 23 is provided with a gear segmentwhich is in engagement with the gear teeth 9 on the outer circumferenceof the first rotatable diaphragm cage 107. The control cam serves forthe purpose of adjusting the angle lever 23 in accordance with thedistance to which the ring 1 has been adjusted so that the diaphragmaperture will correspond to the selected distance adjustment. FIG. 1illustrates for instance that, when the ring 1 has been adjusted to adistance of 8 meters which for all practical purposes is the greatestdistance suitable for making flash exposures, the diaphragm will befully opened. If, however, the ring 1 is adjusted to a shorter distance,then the pin 124 of the angle lever 23 moves into the range of astronger curved portion of the cam 30 so that the gear segment 25 movesdownwardly which has the result that the first diaphragm cage 10! isrotatably adjusted counterclockwise. Hereby the pivot pin 16 is movedinto a lower position as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 and thisresults in a movement of the diaphragm segment 15 into the light passageaperture 26 of the camera objective so that the effective light passageaperture formed by the segments 15 is reduced to a size smaller than theaperture 26.

In order to adjust the diaphragm aperture not only with respect to theadjusted distance but also with respect to a desired guide number value,it is necessary to adjust the ring 19 which for this purpose is providedon its inner circumference with said control projection 24. As alreadystated, this control projection 24 engages one side of the radial arm 10of the second diaphragm cage 108 and effects a rotation of thisdiaphragm cage 108 in clockwise direction when the ring 19 is adjustedclockwise to higher guide numbers. This rotative movement effects amovement of the pin 17 and a gradual closing of the diaphragm segments15.

The operation of the flash exposure mechanism is therefore such thatafter different guide numbers and distance values have been adjusted,the diaphragm aperture will be automatically adjusted to these adjustedvalues. When the camera or the camera objective is adjusted to smallerdistances, the diaphragm by means of the cam 30 on the distanceadjusting ring 1 effects a pivotal movement of the angle lever 23 and anoperation of the gearing 25, 9 so that the diaphragm aperture isreduced. This adjustment of the diaphragm aperture by means of thedistance adjusting ring 1 takes place by means of the first rotatablediaphragm cage 107 and a corresponding displacement of the pin 16.

The adjustment of the diaphragm in accordance with the adjusted guidenumber value takes place by means of the ring 19 and its controlprojection 24 thereon, because this control projection 24 operates theradial arm 10 on the second diaphragm cage 108. An adjustment of thering 19 to higher guide numbers effects a clockwise rotation of thediaphragm cage 108 and since now the pin 17 moves along the curved slot18, the diaphragm aperture is reduced in size.

The control cam 30 on the distance adjusting ring 1 has not only theproperty of an actuating cam, but performs also the function of acompensating cam in that the non-linear distances between the graduationlines of the distance scale 2 are transformed into linear adjustingdistances of the diaphragm mechanism.

For the purpose of operating the camera or the camera objective as anordinary one, namely for making daylight exposures, and in order toadjust the diaphragm manually, the invention provides the followingarrangements.

The ring 19, as already stated in the foregoing, is provided in additionto the guide number scale 36 with a conventional diaphragm aperturescale 2. When the camera or the camera objective is to be changed fromflash exposure operation to daylight exposure, the desired diaphragmaperture value on the scale 22 has to be brought opposite the stationaryindex 21 on the camera and for this purpose the ring 19 is manuallyrotated. The ring 19 is provided on its inner circumference with adisconnecting cam 48 which has the effect that during this change theangle lever 23 is pivoted about its axis of rotation and is moved intosuch a position that this lever 23 no longer prevents the manualadjustment of the dia phragm. In addition, the ring 1 is provided on itsinner circumference with a second radially inwardly extending projection33 which is adapted to engage the radial arm 10 of the second diaphragmcage 108 and which causes the adjustment of the diaphragm to the valueadjusted by the ring 19.

The disconnecting cam 48, which becomes operative when the camera userrotates the ring 19 into a position in which the diaphragm aperture maybe manually adjusted, causes the angle lever 23 to be moved into anextreme position which effects the corresponding rotative adjustment ofthe first diaphragm cage 107. When this happens, the axis of rotation 16of the diaphragm segment 15 moves into the position indicated with 16'and this has the result that the diaphragm segment 15 is moved into aposition in which the diaphragm will have the smallest aperture, namelyto the value which appears on the scale 22 as #22. At the same time, thepin 17 of the diaphragm segment 15 will be moved to its lowest positionin the slot 18. If now a manual adjustment to a larger diaphragmaperture takes place, the projection 33 moves the radial arm 10 of thediaphragm cage 108 in counterclockwise direction and this has the effectthat the pin 17 moves gradually upwardly in the guide slot 18 and thediaphragm is gradually opened again.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, there are employed in additionto the features of FIG. 1 several other elements which limit thedistance adjusting range in dependence of the adjusted guide number and,furthermore, means are provided for rendering these elements, whichautomatically limit the distance range, ineffective when the ring 19 isrotated from the range of the flash exposure mechanism to the mechanismwhich permits a manual selection of the diaphragm or a preselection ofthe diaphragm, respectively.

According to FIG. 2, the guide number and diaphragm adjusting ring 19 isprovided on its inner circumference with a control cam 38 which controlsthe pivotal movement of a lever arm 70, one end of which is rotatablysupported about a stationary axis 72. A spring 117 is attached to thelever arm 70 at its approximate center and urges the lever 70continuously into a position in which the free end 71 of the lever arm70 engages the cam 38. The free end 71 of the lever arm 70 carries alsoa laterally outwardly projecting pin 171 which constitutes the so-calledcatch member of this lever arm 70.

The distance adjusting ring 1 is provided on its inner circumferencewith a ratchet cam 129, the individual steps of which have a widthcorresponding to the intervals of the scale 2 on the ring 1, while theheight of the steps increases with the decreasing values of the distancescale. The catch member 171 of the lever arm 70 is intended to come intoabutment with the individual radially directed abutment faces of theratchet cam 129 in order that in dependence of the guide numberadjustment there is obtained an automatic limitation of the exposurerange which will be available to the camera user. The control cam 38 onthe ring 19 is arranged and constructed in such a manner that it givesthe lever arm 70 and its catch member 171 thereon a small angle ofincidence with respect to the ratchet cam 129 when the ring 19 has beenadjusted to a low guide number, while the lever arm 70 assumes agradually greater angle of incidence relative to the ratchet cam 129 thehigher the adjusted guide number on the guide number scale 36 isselected. In this manner the result is obtained that when a low guidenumber is selected, for instance the guide number 16, the entiredistance range from 8 meters to 1 meter is available for taking flashpictures because for this range the diaphragm may be adjusted from f:2to f:16. It is believed to be clear from the foregoing that when ahigher guide number is selected, for instance the guide number 176 ofthe scale 36, the angle of incidence of the lever 70 and therewith thatof the catch member 171 with respect to the ratchet cam 129 has becomeso great that only a distance of 8 rn. for taking a flash picture willbe available, while all other smaller distances, are automaticallyblocked. When the adjusted guide number is 176 and the distanceadjustment is 8 m., then there will always be available the diaphragmaperture fz22, but no shorter distance can be adjusted because there isno smaller diaphragm aperture available.

The automatic limitation of the exposure range in dependence of theadjusted guide number therefore takes place in this manner that thecontrol cam 38 on the ring 19 raises and lowers the lever arm 70 whichis in engagement with this cam 38 and the latter has such a controlsurface that the catch member 171 of the lever arm 70 upon an adjustmentof the camera to a low guide number will assume a high position and thatthe lever arm 70 will assume a small angle of incidence with respect tothe ratchet cam-129, while when the camera has been adjusted to any oneof the higher guide members the lever arm 70 will assume a low positionand will have a great angle of incidence With respect to the ratchet cam129. When employing low guide members, the camera user has at hisdisposal almost the entire flash distance range before the catch member171 will engage a step on the ratchet cam 129. When, however, the camerahas been adjusted to a high guide number, then the catch member 171 willengage one of the first and lowest steps of the ratchet cam 129 and thismeans that the exposure range has been limited to a small distancerange.

In order to render the automatic distance limiting arrangementineffective when the camera or the camera objective is changed fromflash exposures to daylight exposures and to make a manual adjustment ofthe diaphragm, the ring 19 is provided on its inner circumference with adisconnecting cam 66 which upon adjustment of the ring 19 to any valueof the diaphragm scale 22 causes a movement of the lever arm 70 and thecatch member 171 thereon into a position outside of the range of theratchet cam 129. The catch member 171 on the lever arm 70 will beengaged by this disconnecting cam 66 and is raised by the latter to aposition beyond the highest point of the uppermost step of the ratchetcam 129. A limitation of the adjustable distance range does then nolonger take place because the free end 71 of the lever 70 and the catchmember 171 thereon has come into engagement with the disconnecting cam66 and has been moved into a position in which no part of the lever 70is able to engage the ratchet cam 129. The camera therefore may beoperated as a conventional daylight exposure camera and the photographercan freely ,select any desired diaphragm aperture and any desired 6distance and this is possible as soon as the diaphragm scale 22 has beenmoved opposite the stationary index 21.

The FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate another modification of the cameraobjective in which all the parts which are also used in the FIGS. 1 and2 have been given the same ref erence numeral. The embodiment of FIG. 3differs however from the previously described two embodiments in this,that no pivoted lever with a gear segment is used for the introductionof the distance adjustment in the diaphragm mechanism, but in place ofsuch a gear segment there is only used a lever 73 which is actuated bythe cam 30 on the distance adjusting ring 1. This lever 73 is pivotallymounted between its ends about a stationary axis 74 and its lower end 75forms a catch member which cooperates with a series of abutment steps 5on the outer circumference of the rotatable diaphragm cage 108. Theupper end 87 of this lever 73 is in constant engagement with the cam 30on the distance adjusting ring 1 and is maintained in this position by anot illustrated spring. Depending upon the extent of the movement of thelever 73, when it is actuated .by the cam 30, the lower end 75 performsa predetermined movement depending upon the distance to which the ring 1has been adjusted and this movement of the lever end 75 has the resultthat depending upon the angle of incidence of the lever 73 its lower end75 will come sooner or later into engagement with one of the steps onthe series of abutment steps 5. The lever 73 will be moved by the cam 30in such a manner that when the greatest distance for flash exposures,namely a distance of 8 m., has been selected, the lever 73 has reachedits greatest angle of incidence and is closest to the lowest step of theseries of steps 5, While upon adjustment of the camera to shorterdistance values the lever 73 will assume a smaller angle of incidenceand is raised step by step with respect to the series of abutment steps5.

In the same manner as illustrated in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 2 there is provided an abutment member for limiting the distanceadjustment in dependence of the adjusted guide number, namely thedistance limiting lever 70 which cooperates with the control cam 38 onthe ring 19. This lever in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2 ispivot-ally mounted about a stationary axis 72 and its free end 71 isurged by a not illustrated spring into engagement with the cam 38. Thisfree end 71 of the lever 70 is also provided with an outwardlyprojecting pin 171 which constitutes a catch member for the ratchet cam129 on the distance adjusting ring 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the end71 of the lever 70 is caused to move about its axis 72 by the cam 38 independence of the adjusted guide number and is able to assume variousangles of incidence with respect to the ratchet cam 129 which has theresult that when the ring 19 has been adjusted to higher guide numbers,the catch member 171 engages steps which correspond to predetermineddistances so that the other distances will be blocked, while on theother hand upon adjustment to low guide numbers the catch member 171will engage only the last one of the steps which corresponds to a closedistance range so that in the limited condition the entire distancerange of 8 m. down to 1 m. will be available. A catch member 171 whichprojects laterally from the plane of the lever 70 is required becausethe' adjusting rings 1 and 19 are arranged in different planes. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention the ring 19 is arranged directlybelow the distance adjusting ring 1.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 is insofardifierent from and further developed than the one shown in FIG. 2 asthere is employed another catch member 55, 96 for an automatic exposuremechanism. This catch member consists essentially of a two armed lever55 which is fixedly mounted approximately in its center on ahorizontally extending shaft 56. This shaft 56 is rotated when theautomatic exposure mechanism of the camera is operative. The rotativemovements of the shaft 56 are transferred to it by a tracking member 63which in turn receives its movements from the exposure meter built intothe camera casing and, more specifically stated, from the movablepointer of the measuring instrument of the exposure meter (see FIG. 8).The lower end 96 of the lever 55 is adapted to be brought intoengagement with one of the steps of the series of abutment steps 5. Thisseries of abutment steps may in known manner consist of a commonabutment cam for an exposure control mechanism which runs off when thecamera or rather its tensioned shutter mechanism is released in order tomake an exposure, whereby at the same time the diaphragm mechanism andthe distance range mechanism is included in this arrangement. The end 97of the lever 55 is urged in constant engagement with a cam 64 on thering 19 by a not illustrated spring. This cam 64' is so constructed thatupon operation of the flash exposure range the lever 55 is renderedinoperative as far as the series of abutment steps 5 is concerned, whileupon operation of the automatic exposure mechanism the lever 55 is madefreely movable so that it may follow the control movements of thetracking member 63 operated by the exposure meter. This free movabilityof the lever 55 upon operation of the automatic exposure mechanism ofthe camera is effected in that the upper end 97 of the lever 55 isbrought out of engagement with the cam 64' acting as a disconnectingelement and slides from the end 64 of the cam 64 into a deep recess 57in this cam 64'. The size of this recess 57 is such that even thegreatest movements of the lever 55 are not obstructed.

For the purpose of introducing the adjusted distance values and guidenumber values into the diaphragm mechanism for adjusting the diaphragmaperture to the required size, there is provided in the modification ofthe invention as illustrated in FIG. 3 an arrangement in which tworotatable diaphragm cages are employed. The diaphragm cage 108 carriesthe series of abutment steps 5 on a portion of its outer circumferenceand these abutment steps are used as described previously for theformation of the diaphragm aperture in dependence of the distanceadjustment by means of the lever 73 and its lower pointed end 75. Theintroduction of the guide number values is accomplished by the secondrotatable diaphragm cage 107 and is performed in such a manner that thediaphragm cage 107 is provided with a radial arm which cooperates withan inwardly extending projection 69 on the inner circumference of thering 19. This arm 10 is stopped against movement in one direction by astationary pin 14 or the like and this means that the diaphragm cage 107from the position shown in the drawing may only be rotatably adjusted inclockwise direction. The diaphragm cage 108 can be moved by aconcentrically movable operating member '7 and when the camera has beentensioned into the end position corresponding to the largest diaphragmaperture, it will be held in this position until the camera is released.This operating member 7 is controlled -by the customary filmadvancingand shutter tensioning mechanism of the camera. When the camerais released, the operating member moves from the position 7 shown inFIG. 3 in full lines into the position 711 indicated in dash-dottedlines, whereby a release of the diaphragm cage 108 takes place so thatit may rotate in clockwise direction. This known movement is assisted oreven performed by a spring 8 which is attached with one of its ends tothe point 99 on the diaphragm cage 108 and with its other end to thepoint 76 on the diaphragm cage 107 or, more specifically, the point 76will be found on the radial arm 10. In the illustrated position the twodiaphragm cages 107 and 108 are rotatably positioned in such a mannerthat the spring 8 has been tensioned to its maximum extent. The spring8, therefore, has tensioned the rotating diaphragm cage 108 with respectto the diaphragm cage 107 in clockwise direction. For the sake of abetter reading 8 of the drawing, the diaphragm cages 107 and 108 areshown as having different diameters.

The diaphragm segments 15 are arranged between the two diaphragm cages107 and 108. Again, for the sake of a better understanding of thedrawing the latter illustrates only one of the plurality of diaphragmsegments 15 actually employed in the diaphragm. The FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate portions of the FIG. 3 in an enlarged scale and particularlyillustrate that the diaphragm segment 15 (FIG. 5) is provided onopposite sides with a bearing pin 16 and a guide pin 17, of which thepin 16 enters a corresponding bore provided in the diaphragm cage 107 sothat this pin 16 constitutes the axis of rotation of the diaphragmsegment 15. The pin 17, however, projects into a slot 18 provided in thediaphragm cage 108 and this slot 18 terminates at its outermost end intoa slot portion 118 which extends concentrically about the optical axisof the camera objective. A displacement of the pin 17 in the concentricslot 118 takes place when a certain guide number has been selected whichis followed by a rotative movement of the diaphragm cage 107 and servesthe sole purpose of storing the selected guide number in the diaphragmmechanism without, at least for the present, changing the diaphragmaperture.

It has already been stated that the diaphragm cage 107 upon rotation ofthe ring 19 within its flash exposure range, i.e. when guide numberssmaller than 176 are selected, is rotated in clockwise direction by theprojection 69 which engages the radial arm 10 and that, when the ring 19is rotated reversely, the diaphragm cage 107 under the action of thespring 8 follows the projection 69. It also has been pointed out beforethat when the diaphragm cage 108 is released upon a release of thecamera shutter, the diaphragm cage 108 is sooner or later arrested inits movement by the catch member 75 which is controlled in dependence ofthe adjusted distance.

In order to explain in more detail in what manner the adjusted guidenumber by means of the parts 69, 10 and the adjusted distance by meansof the parts 75, 5 are introduced into the diaphragm aperture accordingto the previously mentioned equation, and in what manner these twofactors form the diaphragm aperture in the employed diaphragm mechanismequipped with two rotatable diaphragm cages, the FIG. 4 has beenprovided with the following auxiliary symbols and scales: At the loweredge of the diaphragm segment 15 is shown a row of small circles 82which indicates the positions which the pin '16 and therewith thesegment 15 will assume when the diaphragm cage 107 is rotatably adjustedin selecting a guide number. For the purpose of making clear thecorresponding position of the pin 16 and the guide number, a guidenumber scale 79 has been applied to the mentioned row of small circles.The slot 18 also is provided with a row of small circles 81 and next tothese circles is shown a diaphragm scale 78 which indicates thepositions of the pin 17 when the relative position between the diaphragmcages is changed by a rotation of the diaphragm cage 108 which resultsin corresponding changes of the diaphragm aperture. The concentric slot118 is provided with a row of small circles 83 therein and next theretois a guide number scale so as to make clear the positions of the pin 17when the diaphragm cage 107 is rotated upon a change of the guidenumber.

In connection with the series of abutment steps 5 of the diaphragm cage108, there are shown a number of concentric dashed lines 84 whichindicate the individual positions of the end 75 of the lever 73 independence of the distance adjustment. The individual guide lines 84have associated therewith corresponding distance values in the form of arow of numbers 85. Finally, there are shown in FIG. 3 a number of spacedradial lines 86 which indicate the division into individual intervals ofthe total return movement of the diaphragm cage 108 with respect to thelever 75 and serve to demonstrate the for- 8 mation of the diaphragmaperture with respect to the distance adjustment and the guide numbervalue.

FIG. 4 designates with 176 the positions of the front pin 17 and of therear pin 16 in a front view of the camera and the camera objective,respectively, in one of the two extreme conditions, i.e. when the guidenumber 176 has been selected and the distance has been adjusted to 8 m.A distance smaller than 8 m. is not adjustable because, as shown in FIG.3, the end 71 of the two-armed lever 70 has engaged the 8 m. step of thedistance limiting ratchet cam 129 and therewith has blocked the distanceadjusting ring 1 against movement. When the camera is released, thediaphragm cage 108 moves about seven diaphragm intervals down to the end75 of the lever 73, as illustrated by the interval lines 86 (FIG. 3) andthereby effects the diaphragm aperture #22 which is required for flashexposures when the camera has been adjusted to a guide number 176 and adistance of 8 m. The pin 16 has retained its position, since thediaphragm cage 107 also remained in its position. The pin 17, however,due to the return movement of the diaphragm cage 108, has moved into theposition designated with 22 in the row of numbers 81.

Assuming that by retaining the distance adjustment of 8 m. one selectsnow the other extreme guide number 16. By a rotative adjustment of thering 19 and the ensuing engagement of the radial arm 10 by theprojection 69 the diaphragm cage 107 moves into the position indicatedin dashed lines in FIG. 4. The pin 16, following suit, moves into theposition designated with 16 in the row of circles 82 and simultaneouslythe diaphragm segment 15 moves into the position 15a indicated by dashedlines. Owing to the arrested position of the diaphragm cage 108 in thetensioned condition of the camera, the pin 17 in the slot 118 moves intothe position designated with 16 in the row of circles 83. The lever 73has retained its 8 m. position. When now the camera is released, thediaphragm cage 108 returns about seven diaphragm intervals until thefirst step of the series of abutment steps comes into engagement withthe end 75 of the lever 73. Due to the prior movement of the diaphragmcage 107 also about seven guide number intervals, the pin 17 passes inits return movement over seven intervals of the row of circles 83,namely along the entire concentric slot 118, and at the time of theengagement of the lever 73 with the first step of the series of abutmentsteps 5 is positioned at that point of the circular disc which islocated at the border to the slot 118 and before the entrance into thecontrol slot 18. This position is characterized by the diaphragmaperture i222 and in connection with the preceding explanations it willbe appreciated that the diaphragm has remained fully open. This exampleillustrates also that the position of the two rotative diaphragm cages107 and 108 and therewith the same engagement position between the steps5 and the member 75 does not always result in the same diaphragmaperture. The 8 in. abutment position between the end 75 of the lever 73and the next adjacent step of the series of abutment steps 5 which isthe deepest and closest may result in any diaphragm aperture dependingupon which guide number has been preselected.

A last example will be explained when the guide number 16 has beenselected and the other extreme distance of 1 meter. The adjustment tothe guide number 16 by the ring 19 is followed, as disclosed in thepreceding example, by a movement of the diaphragm segment '15 into theposition 15a in which the pin 16 has reached the position 16 in the rowof circles 82 and the pin 17 has reached the position 16 in the row ofcircles 83 which means that the diaphragm cage 107 has performed amovement over seven intervals. The end 75 of the lever 73 is being movedby the control cam 30 on the distance adjusting ring 1 into a positionwhere an engagement with only the last one of the steps 5 (FIG. 4) cantake place which means an additional difference of six intervals in thereturn movement of the diaphragm cage 108 with respect to the 8 m.position of the end 75 of the lever 73. If now the camera is releasedand the diaphragm cage 108 consequently performs its return movement,then it will move over thirteen intervals before the last step of thesteps 5 comes into engagement with the end 75 of the lever 73 whichassumes now a small angle of incidence with respect to the series ofsteps 5. This means that the pin 17 returns the same number ofintervals, namely seven, within the concentric slot 118 and sixintervals within the control slot 18. At the time of the engagement ofthe end 75 of the lever 73 with one of the steps 5 the pin 17 hasreached the position 16 of the row of circles 81 which corresponds tothe required diaphragm aperture 1: 16.

When the camera is changed from the flash exposure range to theautomatic exposure range, i.e. when the mark A on the ring 19 designatedwith 49 is brought into registration with the stationary mark 21, theend 97 of the lever 55 slides into the recess 57 in the ring 19 and thisrecess 57 is so shaped that the lever 55 is able to follow freely allmovements required of it by the automatic exposure mechanism now inoperation. This means that the lever 55 may assume all angles ofincidence with respect to the steps 5 which are caused by rotativemovements of the shaft 56 carrying the lever 55, which angles ofincidence are instrumental in forming the proper diaphragm aperture whenthe diaphragm cage 108 performs its return movement and in accordancewith the brightness conditions of the object to be photographed willsooner or later engage the steps 5 and therewith determine the correctdiaphragm aperture.

In this changed condition of the camera the lever 73, 75 controlled bythe cam 30 on the distance adjusting ring 1 need not be disconnected byany cam on the ring 19, since it is circumferentially displaced withrespect to the lever 55 in such a manner that it is inoperative when theautomatic exposure mechanism is used. The range of movement of thediaphragm cage 108 during the use of the automatic exposure mechanismamounts to not more than seven diaphragm intervals in clockwisedirection. Consequently, when the lever 73, 75 is in the infiniteposition and the diaphragm opens to the aperture of f:22, the levers 73and 96 at most might engage the steps 5 at the same time, whereby thelever end 96 engages the last step and the lever end 75 engages thefirst step of the series of steps 5. This, however, does not disturb theintended formation of the diaphragm aperture.

It is to be noted that the diaphragm cage 107 is stationary when theautomatic exposure mechanism is used and also in the position where amanual diaphragm adjustment or preselection, respectively, is employed,as will appear hereinafter. In these ranges no guide numbers have to bestored any more so that the element instrumental in this function,namely the projection 69 on the ring 19, has-been moved away from theradial arm 10 of the diaphragm cage 107 when the camera has been changedfrom flash exposure operation to the automatic exposure operation or tothe manual diaphragm adjustment. The formation of the diaphragm aperturein these last named ranges results only from the movement of thediaphragm cage 108 in accordance with the distance and/ or the angle ofincidence of the lever 55 or the preselection abutment 224 cooperatingwith the steps 5.

For the disconnection of the distance limitation serves the highestpoint 66 of the cam 38 on the ring 19, which cam cooperates with the end71 of the lever 70. This highest point lifts the lever end 71 andtherewith the catch member 171 for the ratchet cam 129 above the highestcam level and keeps it there after it has passed the highest point 66 ofthe cam 38. Thus, the distance in the range of the automatic exposuremechanism and in the range of the manual diaphragm adjustment is freelyselectable. The radial arm 10 cannot ,be influenced by the radial edge77 on the ring 19, since this edge 77 is situated in a different plane.The cooperation between change and control elements of the variousrings, cams, levers and the like in the different modifications of theinvention, which elements are positioned in different planes, is broughtabout in that upwardly bent flaps, reinforced walls, projecting pins,etc. are provided, as will be observed from the perspective view of thecamera and its parts as shown in FIG. 8.

If the ring 19 is further rotated in counterclockwise direction so thatone of the values of the diaphragm scale 22 is opposite the index 21,the pro-selection projection 224 with its abutting edge 224a assumes thepositions marked with diaphragm values. The engagement now takes placewith the radial front surface 108a of the diaphragm cage 108. When thecamera is released, the diaphragm cage 108 will perform its returnmovement which is shorter or longer according to the adjusted diaphragmaperture and the therefrom resulting position of the projection 224 orits edge 224a, respectively, and the diaphragm aperture set at the scale22 is formed immediately before the exposure.

The modification of the camera as shown in FIG. 6 is different from thatof FIG. 3 in that the spring actuated diaphragm mechanism is replaced bya pressure diaphragm mechanism. The operating and arresting member 7 forthe rotatable diaphragm cage 108 and the spring 8 located between thetwo rotatable diaphragm cages 107 and 108 have been dispensed with.Added is a push button 130 for the operation of the diaphragm. The shaft131 of this push button extends vertically and is supported in a bearing133 on the camera. The push button 130 may be pushed inwardly againstthe action of a spring 132 placed between a disc portion 136 of the pushbutton and the upper face of the bearing 133. The shaft 131 is connectedwith the diaphragm cage 108 by way of the pin-slot connection 134, 135.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in respect to the introductionof the distance and guide number values into the diaphragm mechanism orinto the lever mechanism 73, 74, 75, respectively, is analogous to thatof FIG. 3. Only the automatic return movement of the diaphragm cage whenthe camera is released is replaced by the manual return rotation bymeans of the push button connection 130-135 until the lever end 75 andthe steps come into engagement so that under like distance and guidenumber conditions the same diaphragm aperture will be formed as in themodifications explained before. Also the automatic or manual formationof the diaphragm aperture after the adjustment of the ring 10 to thedesired operating range has principally not changed.

The modification of FIG. 7 is particularly intended for cameras orcamera objectives which are not provided with an automatic exposuremechanism. This modification is merely provided with a range for theflash operation and with a range for the manual diaphragm adjustment ordiaphragm preselection, respectively. Therefore, the ring 19 carriesmerely a guide number scale 36 and a diaphragm scale 22 which areregistrable to the stationary index 21. The distance value is introducedby a gear segment 91 rotatable about a stationary axis 92. The segment91 is provided with gear teeth 94 meshing with gear teeth 95 provided onthe diaphragm cage 107. The tracking pin 93 on the gear segment 91 isurged by a not illustrated spring against the cam 30 on the distanceadjusting ring. The cam 30 is of such a shape that the segment 91 isrotated clockwise when the distance adjusting ring 1 is rotatedcounterclockwise toward smaller values. Accordingly, the diaphragm cage107 rotates in counterclockwise direction.

In order to take into account the adjusted guide numbers with respect tothe second rotatable diaphragm cage 108 for the purpose of forming thecorrect diaphragm aperture, the diaphragm cage 108 is provided with aradial arm 10 which cooperates with an abutment projection 324 arrangedon the inner circumference of the ring 19.

To this end the diaphragm cage 108 has been pretensioned by a spring 8which on one hand is secured to the point 99 of the arm 10 and on theother hand is secured to the stationary point 50. In the tensionedcondition of the camera the diaphragm cage 108 is blocked against arotative movement in clockwise direction by the operating member 7 whichis actuated by the shutter winding mechanism. When the shutter isreleased, the member 7 jumps into the position 7a indicated in dashedlines and the diaphragm cage 108 thereby is released for its return rununtil the arm 10 engages the projection 324.

While in the embodiments shown in the FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 the stationarypin 14 is provided for the purpose of forming a stop for the radial arm10 which is arranged on the diaphragm cage 107 and from the illustratedinitial position is prevented from rotating counterclockwise, FIG. 7shows another embodiment in which the radial arm 10 is arranged on thediaphragm ring 108 and therefore the pin 14 limits the rotative movementof the diaphragm ring 108 in counterclockwise direction.

Of all the employed diaphragm segments only one segment 15 isillustrated which is provided, as shown in FIG. 5, on one side with apin 16 which engages a bore in the diaphragm cage 107 and on the otherside with a pin 17 which extends into the control slot 18 and may travelin the concentric slot 118 of the cage 108. The slot 118 serves for :thepurpose of storing the distance values resulting from the rotation ofthe diaphragm cage 107, which distance values cause changes in theposition of the pin 17 within the slot 118. For a better understandingof the drawing the various positions of the pin 17 in accordance withthe adjusted distance values are illus trated by a row of circles whichare designated with the corresponding distance values. This means morespecifically that a rotation of the diaphragm cage 107 in accordancewith an adjustment to smaller distance values is followed by adisplacement of the diaphragm segment 15 about the light passageaperture 26, whereby the control pin 17 is able to move within the slot118 up to the position 17a without causing a closure of the diaphragm.The segment 15 may even move beyond this point, as will be explained indetail farther down, without any change in the fully open diaphragmaperture. The pin 17 may move into the position located at the end ofthe slot 118 which is designated with B1 2 and constitutes the highestpoint of the control slot 18. Only when the pin 17 enters the controlslot 18 itself, the diaphragm is going to be closed gradually. This isthe case when a higher guide number has been adjusted or when adiaphragm aperture smaller than #2 has been selected.

As first example will be explained the formation of the diaphragmaperture in the flash exposure range, in which example the guide number16 has been selected and the distance has been set to 8 m. When thecamera is tensioned, the diaphragm segment 15 is in the positionillustrated and in which the pin 17 is at the end of the slot 118 at thepoint indicated with 8 m. When the camera is released, the spring 8becomes effective so that the diaphragm cage 108 moves in clockwisedirection. The diaphragm cage 108 traverses eight diaphragm intervalsbefore its arm 10 comes to an engagement with the projection 324, as isillustrated by the radial interval lines 125. The pin 17, therefore, hasmoved back within the slot 118 the same number of intervals and hasreached the position designated with E1 2 (,fz2) and located at themerger point of the slot 118 with the control slot 18. This means thatwith the adjustment of the guide number 16 and a distance of 8 m. therequired diaphragm aperture f:2 has been formed automatically.

As another example may be cited that of the adjustment of the guidenumber 16 and a distance of 1 111. After the ring 19 again has beenrotatably adjusted, the gear segment 91 rotates the diaphragm cage 107about six intervals so that the diaphragm segment 15 moves into theposition 151) in which the pin 16 occupies the position 16b. The controlpin 17 has moved back about six intervals within the concentric slot 118of the arrested diaphragm cage 108 and has reached the positiondesignated with 1711 or 1 m. Upon subsequent release of the camera, thediaphragm cage 108because the guide number has remained adjusted to thevalue 16returns eight intervals so that consequently the control pin 17is caused to move back also eight intervals in the slot 118 and finallyreaches the position designated with B1 16 in the control slot 18 whichmeans that the diaphragm has been closed down to its second smallestaperture.

Since in the foregoing the adjustments have been basically-disclosed onhand of two examples, further possible adjustments of the camera or thecamera objective, respectively, may be readily derived therefrom. Theprinciple of the invention, as may be recapitulated, consists in thatwith a progressively decreasing distance adjustment the control pin 17steadily moves closer to the control slot 18 and engages the same at apoint located the deeper, the higher the guide number has been adjusted,and this operation results in the formation of the correct diaphragmaperture, The abutment 324 moves away from the control arm the more andthe return movement of the diaphragm cage 108 becomes the greater, thehigher the guide number has been selected.

When the camera is changed from the range of the flash exposure totherange of manual diaphragm preselection, the diaphragm cage 107 isarrested in an inoperative position by the action of the tracking pin 93on the gear segment 91 which is controlled by the disconnecting cam 48on the ring 19. The segment 91 is rotated by the disconnecting cam 48such a distance in clockwise direction that the diaphragm cage 107 uponcorresponding rotation in counterclockwise direction moves the diaphragmsegment into the position 15a in which the pin 16 assumes the position16a and the control pin 17 assumes the position 17a f :2). The diaphragmcage 107 which is now arrested in this position is ineffective for thefurther formation of the diaphragm aperture. The diaphragm aperturehenceforth is formed merely by the diaphragm cage 108 whose rearwardmovement is determined by the position of the projection 324. Thestarting point of the control pin 17 is no longer a point within theconcentric portion 118, but is the point 17a within the control slot 18.The diaphragm mechanism therewith has become a conventionally operatingspring actuated diaphragm mechanism.

FIG. 8 illustrates in a perspective front elevation view a cameraemploying the specific arrangement of FIG. 3. Like elements in bothfigures are designated with like reference numerals. In addition, FIG. 8shows that the camera casing 58 is provided with a photoelectric cell61, a measuring instrument 62 for the exposure meter, a tracking member63 and a gear connection formed by two bevel gears 65 which operate theshaft 56 carrying the lever 55. The specific means for the deflection ofthe tracking member 63, for instance a non-circular disc rotated by themeasuring instrument and the clamping device for the pointer of theinstrument, which would be necessary in this connection, are not shownsince they do not form part of the present invention. For theunderstanding of the exposure mechanism whose combination with the flashexposure mechanism is the instant problem, it is sufficient to point outthat the shaft 56 of the lever 55 is controlled directly by themeasuring instrument of the exposure meter and performs rotativemovements by which one end 96 of the lever 55 is moved toward or awayfrom the series of steps 5 so that in dependence of the light valuemeasured a longer or shorter return movement of the correspondingdiaphragm control ring and the time control ring connected therewith(not shown) is made possible, whereby the diaphragm is closed more orless and the exposure time is adjusted accordingly.

The other end 97 of the lever 55 engages the cam 64 on the innercircumference of the ring 19 for changing the camera selectively to oneof its operating ranges, such as manual diaphragm adjustment, automaticexposure mechanism or flash exposure operation. This cam 64 on the innercircumference of the ring 19 which cooperates with the lever end 97constitutes a disconnecting cam for the lever 55 and therewith also forthe automatic exposure mechanism. As shown in FIG. 8, the stationaryindex 21 indicates the adjustment of the camera to the flash exposuremechanism. By the engagement of the lever end 97 of the lever 55 withthe cam 64 the lever 55 is removed from the range of the series of steps5 on the cage 108. However, as soon as the camera has been adjusted tothe range of the automatic exposure mechanism by bringing the mark Adesignated with 49 into registration with the index 21, the lever 55 bymoving its end 97 into the recess 57 of the actuating ring 19 isreleased and under simultaneous disconnection of the flash exposuremechanism the camera is changed to the range of the automatic exposuremechanism.

What I claim is:

1. A photographic camera designed for selectively making flashexposures, automatically adjustable exposures and manually adjustabledaylight exposures, said camera comprising in combination:

(a) a photographic objective provided with an adjustable diaphragmmechanism;

(b) a rotatable adjusting ring provided with a circumferentiallyextending flash guide number scale followed by an automatic exposurerange and a diaphragm aperture scale employed for the manuallyadjustable exposures,

(c) a distance adjusting means operative to adjust the diaphragm onlywhen said rotatable adjusting ring is set on its flash guide numberscale,

(d) an automatic exposure adjusting means including an exposure meterbuilt into the camera and operative when said adjusting ring is set inits automatic exposure range,

(e) a stationary mark adapted to serve as a common index for said guidenumber scale, said automatic exposure range and said diaphragm aperturescale,

(f) said diaphragm mechanism being provided with two rotatable diaphragmcages and diaphragm segments adjustable by said cages, each one of saidcages being adapted to adjust said segments independently, and

(g) means for operatively connecting one of said diaphragm cagesselectively with said rotatable adjusting ring for selectively makingflash exposures, automatic exposures and manual exposures,

(h) said last named means comprising disconnecting cam means on saidrotatable adjusting ring which render the nonselected exposure meansineffective.

2. A photographic camera according to claim 1, includingcircumferentially displaced pivotally mounted catch members (55, 73)arranged between said rotatable adjusting ring and said diaphragm cages,said catch members being so arranged and constructed that nodisconnecting cam for said automatic exposure adjusting means isrequired.

3. A photographic camera according to claim 1, in which a diaphragmaperture preselecting abutment (224 in FIG. 3) is provided on saidrotatable adjusting ring which upon adjustment to manual diaphragmselection cooperates with an abutment face on one of said diaphragmcages.

4. A photographic camera according to claim 1, in which a diaphragmaperture preselecting abutment (224 in FIG. 3) is provided on saidrotatable adjusting ring which upon adjustment to manual diaphragmselection cooperates with an abutment face on one of said diaphragmcages, said abutment at the same time limiting the rotative movement ofsaid diaphragm cage within the range of manually adjustable exposures.

5. A photographic camera according to claim 1, including additionalmeans which in dependence of the adjusted guide number automaticallylimit the distance range to which the camera objective is adjustable,said additional means for automatically limiting the distance rangeinclude a control cam on said adjusting ring, a ratchet cam on saiddistance adjusting means, and a pivotally mounted lever whose pivotalmovement is controlled by said control arm and a portion of which isadapted to be engaged by a step on said ratchet cam when said distanceadjusting means is operated.

6. A photographic camera according to claim 1, in which said distanceadjusting means comprises (a) an adjustable ring provided with adistance scale thereon and arranged in axial alignment with saidrotatable adjusting ring, (b) a lever pivotally mounted between its endsabout a fixed axis, (c) a cam on said distance adjusting ring, (d) meansfor urging one end of said lever into engagement with said cam, and (e)a series of abutment steps on one of said rotatable diaphragm cages, oneof said steps being adapted to engage said lever when said diaphragmcage is rotated. 7. A photographic camera according to claim 1, in whichsaid distance adjusting means comprises (a) an adjustable ring providedwith a distance scale thereon and arranged in axial alignment with saidrotatable adjusting ring, (b) a lever pivotally mounted between its endsabout a fixed axis,

(c) a cam on said distance adjusting ring,

(d) means for urging one end of said lever into engagement with saidcam,

(e) a series of abutment steps on one of said rotatable diaphragm cages,one of said steps being adapted to engage said lever when said diaphragmcage is rotated,

(f) means for pressure operating said adjustable diaphragm,

(g) said last named means including an axially movable shaft, a manuallyoperable key on one end thereof while the other end of said shaft isoperatively connected wit-h said rotatable diaphragm cage having saidseries of abutment steps thereon, and

(h) a spring for holding said shaft in its initial position in whichsaid series of abutment steps are kept away from said pivotally mountedlever.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,082 5/1961Stark -10 3,071,056 1/1963 Gebele 9564 3,134,315 5/1964 Koppen 95643,196,768 7/1965 Rentschler 95-64 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

CLIFFORD B. PRICE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA DESIGNED FOR SELECTIVELY MAKING FLASHEXPOSURES, AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE EXPOSURES AND MANUALLY ADJUSTABLEDAYLIGHT EXPOSURES, SAID CAMERA COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) APHOTOGRAPHIC OBJECTIVE PROVIDED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM;(B) A ROTATABLE ADJUSTING RING PROVIDED WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIALLYEXTENDING FLASH GUIDE NUMBER SCALE FOLLOWED BY AN AUTOMATIC EXPOSURERANGE AND A DIAPHRAGM APERTURE SCALE EMPLOYED FOR THE MANUALLYADJUSTABLE EXPOSURES, (C) A DISTANCE ADJUSTING MEANS OPERATIVE TO ADJUSTTHE DIAPHRAGM ONLY WHEN SAID ROTATABLE ADJUSTING RING IS SET ON ITSFLASH GUIDE NUMBER SCALE, (D) AN AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE ADJUSTING MEANSINCLUDING AN EXPOSURE METER BUILT INTO THE CAMERA AND OPERATIVE WHENSAID ADJUSTING RING IS SET IN ITS AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE RANGE, (E) ASTATIONARY MARK ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A COMMON INDEX FOR SAID GUIDE NUMBERSCALE, SAID AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE RANGE AND SAID DIAPHRAGM APERTURE SCALE,(F) SAID DIAPHRAGM MECHANISM BEING PROVIDED WITH TWO ROTATABLE DIAPHRAGMCAGES AND DIAPHRAGM SEGMENTS ADJUSTABLE BY SAID CAGES, EACH ONE OF SAIDCAGES BEING ADAPTED TO ADJUST SAID SEGMENTS INDEPENDENTLY, AND (G) MEANSFOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING ONE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM CAGES SELECTIVELY WITHSAID ROTATBLE ADJUSTING RING FOR SELECTIVELY MAKING FLASH EXPOSURES,AUTOMATIC EXPOSURES AND MANUAL EXPOSURES, (H) SAID LAST NAMED MEANSCOMPRISING DISCONNECTING CAM MEANS ON SAID ROTATABLE ADJUSTING RINGWHICH RENDER THE NONSELECTED EXPOSURE MEANS INEFFECTIVE.